Eric Clapton sings a song "No One Knows You When You are Down and Out." And I must admit, many of us feel like that from time to time, and with no jobs, no money, and for many no hope, the song rings true in too many hearts. And when Ringo sang "you gotta pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues" he was right, it don't come easy. For worthwhile things never have, and never will.
When I lost my job 20 months ago, and decided to get into full time ministry, my head was filled with all kinds of dreams about blessings I was going to be part of, and have been. When the stories are told we always share the good parts, never the boring and tedious times when we just stood and prayed, or listened. Or studied, patiently. But along the road, which is often rough and often testing my spiritual suspension, I find that to be effective I must have walked my talk. Something not inherent to human beings. We want to start at the top and work our way down. But God's plans are different, and I find so many times I am not smarter than fifth grader.
When traveling, if I stop and a group of bikers is there, I will seek out the one who has been on the road. You can tell by the way he is dressed, and even more perceptively how he has a relationship between him and his bike. Doesn't matter the brand, he's a biker. The two have travelled many miles an roads, and you can get honest answers, not opinions based on what some novice wrote in his magazine column. He knows, so you seek him out. When you are choosing a career, you seek out someone successful in that field, and pick their brain. It only makes sense. And so it is for those who minister. And somehow the needy can tell if you care. Like I was told recently, quoting scripture is hateful if not done in love. Chew on that awhile, then read Matthew 25.
To learn the compassion of Christ, you must first have been hurt. Just like you cannot have mercy until you have screwed up. And I find that the emotional pain I have endured goes way beyond any physical pain I ever had. I have learned to turn the other cheek when a so called brother, will cowardly accuse my wife about me, but is too chicken to talk to me. And now where I should feel contempt, I feel sorry for him, meekness being the better choice. I see how Jesus was betrayed, never over doctrine, but on opinions. I have been deeply hurt by superiors in title, but not in standing-false accusations made, and learned that being right is not always good enough for those under the law, but being in the spirit gives a peace that nothing else can, no matter how much they try to take it away. I have watched as men complain about their jobs to me, and I don't have an income. I have been told that "I'm praying for you brother," but never ask if I'm hungry, while stuffing their face. I have been accused, threatened, and singled out for my Biblical stands, but never once accused of not loving enough. Or being scripturally inaccurate. Love is scripturally accurate. And in all this have been drawn closer to God. And better understand why Jesus hung with the bikers, prostitutes, gangsters, and the poor and lonely. He knew their pain, for He had endured it. He had endured every one of their sins, but bore them instead of committed them. He knows what it is like to be betrayed by a family, and members who you trusted, over lies and innuendos. The Judas in all of us. He knows what it is like for so called brothers to fall back on denominational laws, as opposed to what the word says. If you don't like what it says, you can always find someone who will agree with your opinion. No need being lonely and in sin. Start a club. He knows what it is like to be hungry-past appetite, and watch as we gorge ourselves before those who haven't eaten, and wish weren't there to make us feel uncomfortable. He knows what it is like to have everything, but be stripped of it all too. To bear sins that He never committed, so we can have fellowship with Him. He has known loneliness-so that we never have to be alone.
In racing it is never hard to find the winners after the race. Or the losers either. It is the losers I am drawn to, they are able to visit one on one. To the winners I am just another face in the crowd-a groupie. But to the losers, they are always open to an audience of one. And that's how Jesus ministers to us-one on one. Consoling. We will rejoice in heaven, soon, but for now we need to weep with those who weep. Offer food to those who are hungry. Offer shelter to those without. Visit those who have no visitors, and spend time with those who have too much of it, but no one to spend it with. Love those who aren't so lovely. Or lovable. Perhaps that is the greatest lesson I have ever learned-and how it has brought me closer to God. Just a closer walk with thee-personal and intimate. A choice to be humble, lest you be humiliated.
If you don't exhibit these characteristics, I don't doubt your salvation, but maybe your walk. Pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans. Jesus also said we are to stand out by our love. Do we? I have also learned to forgive, and am working on forgetting. Some wounds run deep, and leave scars. But the scars not seen are the ones only Jesus can deal with. Are you letting Him?
Will you join me in prayer, one of asking the God of second chances to forgive and start you out anew? New game, new race-it's the first inning, and they just dropped the green flag. Jesus is your coach and co-driver, right next to you always. And when you hurt, He is there to console you. So you can console others. Mercy, poured out and overflowing. Building in you a relationship that nothing on earth can harm or compare to.
And to those who answer the call blessings beyond compare. I cheerfully, and tearfully encourage you to seek Jesus today. And maybe find out why we all have to suffer, but learn there is someone there to bear it with us, and for us. Alone in Christ is a majority. Be the kind of Christian that others look for, instead of look out for. Remember that a wounded animal is the most dangerous, and many of us are wounded. Be a true representative of Christ by showing love and compassion, against which there are no laws.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com